RATIONALE

An International Landmark Framework for Nature will be adopted in December 2022. The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), including all the SIDS, is expected to adopt the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at its forthcoming 15^th meeting (COP 15) under the presidency of China and hosted by Canada. The GBF will contain new goals and targets for biodiversity until 2030 as a steppingstone towards the 2030 Agenda and the 2050 Vision of “Living in Harmony with Nature”.

A Unique Opportunity for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).  Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is particularly significant in SIDS, as they have some of the most diverse and unique ecosystems in the world, and are home to and host rare endemic species. Furthermore, Paragraph 90 of the Declaration of the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action, (the S.A.M.O.A Pathway), highlights the intrinsic link between SIDS and biodiversity: “overall, SIDS have extraordinary marine and terrestrial biodiversity that in many cases is fundamental to their livelihoods and identity.” At the same time, the threats to biodiversity and the services they provide are disproportionately felt in SIDS due to their unique structural and endogenous vulnerabilities. SIDS feature narrow resource-based economies and fragile island ecosystems (with high level of endemism) making them extremely vulnerable to any external shocks and changes. This is further exacerbated by the global failure to meet any of the 20 Aichi biodiversity targets over the last Decade. The upcoming GBF is therefore of paramount importance for SIDS’ socio-economic development, which depends highly on biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources.  In this context and being on the frontline of multiple crises, SIDS cannot afford to miss this second chance to protect their nature-based assets and increase their environmental resilience.

Means of Implementation. Taking into account the achievements made by the CBD Program of Work on Island Biodiversity, there is a need for greater focus on the specific vulnerabilities, needs and circumstances of SIDS, particularly when it relates to the acute gaps in SIDS’ means of implementation (which are different in magnitude and nature from the gaps faced by Islands in general). This need aligns with the Preamble to the CBD itself explicitly acknowledging the special conditions of SIDS. A 2022 gap assessment report on Challenges and Constraints in Means of Implementing Biodiversity Objectives in SIDS, developed in consultation with CBD National Focal points from all the SIDS regions underlines the strategic importance to focus on means of implementation in SIDS. Furthermore, unlike during the Paris Agreement negotiations where SIDS succeeded to formally unify and amplify their voices to substantially influence international climate discussions, SIDS experience difficulties to formally coordinate across the 3 SIDS regions and speak as one to deliver common messages and positions around areas of common interest and deliver unified voice in CBD related processes and other related fora. At a time when ambitious biodiversity targets through 2030 are to be adopted globally, there is therefore a clear need to ensure that SIDS specific biodiversity-related issues and associated means of implementation are strategically considered and heard for the effective and successful implementation of the new GBF in/by SIDS across the 3 regions (Caribbean, AIS, Pacific). The mid-term review of the SAMOA Pathway in 2019 (in paragraph 30) highlighted the need to “…facilitate and attract foreign direct investment and financing, and capacity support for SIDS”.

The SIDS Coalition for Nature. In view of the GBF adoption and implementation, several SIDS agreed to form a SIDS Coalition for Nature. Co-led by the Governments of Cabo Verde, Samoa and Seychelles, the objective of the Coalition is to advocate as ONE for agreed common SIDS priorities and needs, including the needs for greater means of implementing biodiversity objectives in SIDS. The membership of the Coalition is growing with SIDS from all the regions joining.

The joint advocacy by the Coalition will imply the joint formulation by Coalition members through their National CBD Focal points of agreed (by consensus) positions and messages that will be delivered and amplified at the highest level possible (Head of States, Ministers, Ambassadors, Country representatives) to be effectively heard in CBD-related processes and in relevant major events. The Coalition will only be echoing at the highest level possible what has been commonly agreed by consensus amid Coalition members. Such a Coalition will also be a way to: (i) Underline how SIDS are, globally, home to a large portion of World biodiversity; (ii) Showcase how SIDS have been leading by example and been frontrunners in nature conservation, and; therefore, (iii) Highlight how enhancing SIDS’ means of implementation, will be strategic and a priority to save the Planet. 

Friends of the Coalition, Synergies & Mainstreaming. While this SIDS Coalition for Nature is led and formed by SIDS countries only, it will also be open to non-SIDS countries (Friends of the Coalition) who can support the coalition by adding their “voice of support” to the messages and positions promoted by the Coalition. As appropriate, the Coalition will also explore synergies with other Coalitions and Alliances advocating for and promoting relevant biodiversity targets for SIDS (e.g. High Ambition Coalition, Global Ocean Alliance, etc…). Finally, and because biodiversity mainstreaming is a key challenge, the SIDS Coalition for Nature will also seek cross-fertilization with other international processes where the conservation of nature-based assets and the promotion of nature-based solutions need to be further highlighted in terms of messaging (e.g. 4^th  SIDS International Conference, Mid-term Review of the Sendai Framework, SDG Summit, One Island Summit, UN Decades, UN Conferences -water, ocean, etc).

The first major milestone of the Coalition will be COP15 (December 2022) in Canada. At COP15, the 3 specific objectives of the Coalition will be:

• To launch officially and present the Coalition internationally (advocacy objectives, rationale, governance, logo).
• To announce the Coalition’s Call for Action for enhanced means for implementing ambitious biodiversity objectives in SIDS
• To request “the development of a draft capacity development plan for SIDS to support the implementation of the global biodiversity framework". Aligned with the Call for Action, such a (follow-up) plan, once developed in the course of 2023 in the GBF frame, will be the strategic vehicle to guide partners to enhance technical and financial assistance required for SIDS.

Practically, the SIDS Coalition for Nature will intervene during COP15 High-Level Segment, Cooperation decision segment (agenda item 15), Resources Mobilization decision segment (agenda item 12) and Capacity Building decision segment (agenda item 13).

A dedicated high-level side-event by the SIDS Coalition for Nature is planned on Dec 15^th (12:15pm). The objective and agenda of this side event is detailed below:  

PURPOSES OF THE SIDE EVENT

The primary purpose of the side event is to launch at High Level the SIDS Coalition for Nature, present the Coalition and make a Call to Action for “Enhancing Means of Implementing Ambitious Objectives for Nature in SIDS under the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework”.

The secondary or complementary objectives of the launch will be to provide a space for SIDS to, once again:

1. Reiterate how they are the guardians of biodiversity and the ocean;
2. Demonstrate how much they rely on nature for their sustainable and resilient socio-economic development
3.  Show how SIDS are leading by example and are sustainable development hubs for innovative solutions, despite the unique challenges they face.

DATE / TIME / VENUE

The High-Level Launch of the SIDS Coalition for Nature will take place during the High-level segment of COP15 in Montreal on December 15^th 2022 from 12:15 to 13:15 pm in the African Group Meeting Room #511BE.